Human Rights Declaration 70th anniversary to be marked in Burnley

Wajid, who sits on the Human Rights Committee in the European Union Parliament, will speak at the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) Burnley campus on December 10th to open up discussion about what it means to have human rights and what people’s perceptions are of them.

Wajid, who has sat on Burnley Borough Council for 11 years before being elected to serve as an MEP in 2017, said: “Human rights might seem an abstract concept but it’s about helping people.

"Whether we are talking about someone in Burnley who has the right to a fair trial, or a child in a Yemen who has the right to education, when human rights are protected we all benefit. Lately it seems that human rights are under more pressure than ever. I am really looking forward to speaking at UCLan about this essential topic.”

The event, at UCLan’s Victoria Mill Campus in Burnley, has been organised by UCLan community leadership student Elaine Hutchison.

The 46-year-old said: “The event isn’t about just listening to a speaker, we want the audience to play a big part in it and share their opinions. People have differing views on what it means to have human rights and who should be entitled to them, so I wanted to mark this 70th anniversary milestone with an important discussion around it.”

The event will run from noon to 2pm in room 004 at the Victoria Mill Campus, Trafalgar Street, Burnley. The event is free and refreshments will be provided. People are asked to register interest in attending via Eventbrite.

For more information contact Elaine Hutchison by email at [email protected]